Almost Somewhere

Just 140 nautical miles to go until Cape Verde! We'll be pulling into port tomorrow morning, ready to hit the ground running with our list of tasks. Yesterday, we made a respectable 136 nautical miles in 24 hours thanks to a light following breeze that gave the Volvo a bit of a hand. We're now less than 1200 nautical miles from the equator, and surprisingly, the tropics haven't quite arrived. Nighttime still necessitates long pants and sleeves. One thing I'm very much looking forward to in Cape Verde is doing a fuel burn calculation. Early indications are that we're making some seriously economical miles! Running on just one engine at 1800 rpm, with some current and a following breeze, we're averaging around 5 knots. My guess is the fuel burn is around 3 liters per hour, which would translate to a range of over 2,000 nautical miles in similar conditions after we top up in Cape Verde. That's fantastic news! If we have to do any 'serious' motoring this range will likely be halved or even less.

We were initially a bit worried about the fuel we transferred to the water barrels, fearing it might slosh around too much. So, we only filled them to about 70 liters each, out of a 125-liter capacity. Thankfully, a closer inspection during our travels revealed minimal movement. We're now comfortable adding another 30 or 40 liters each. Plus, we've decided to repurpose one of the emergency water jerry cans for extra fuel, giving us some additional peace of mind.

With the main water tanks now separated, we feel much more secure on the water front. On top of that, we have around 30 bottles of water and a 20-liter can, so hydration shouldn't be a concern.

Cape Verde, here we come! Here's to a smooth arrival, a successful pit stop - fingers crossed for the sailmaker!

Arrival in Sydney: Delivery Complete!

This morning, the Excess 14 slid gracefully into her new berth at Middle Harbour Marina, marking the successful completion of her delivery from the Gold Coast. The final approach into Sydney Harbour is always a great sight, a fitting end to a coastal voyage. This passage was a comprehensive real-world test of the boat's capabilities. She proved to be a joy in light airs, demonstrated strength and stability in heavy weather, and showed impressive maneuverability during a tricky docking. It’s clear that the Excess 14 is a versatile and robust catamaran, perfectly suited for everything the Australian coast can throw at it. The final tasks onboard are ones of quiet satisfaction: coiling the lines perfectly, writing up the final log entry, and giving the boat a last clean and polish. For Yacht Delivery Solutions, it's a pleasure and a privilege to deliver a vessel of this quality. Handing her over to the brokers at Flagstaff Marine clean, secure, and ready for her new owners is t...

Done and Dusted in Brisbane!

We are done! The boat's tied up safe and sound in the marina, the crew has packed their bags and headed off, and I'm here doing the final clean-up before I leave at 6 am tomorrow morning. I have to admit, I was pretty anxious for the last 24 hours. I was on the edge of my seat, hoping those saildrives would hold out for the final stretch. I even changed the oil in both of them around 3 am, because we were going to make landfall around 5 am and its quite a way up the river, and the tide was going to be dropping as we went up, meaning they'd have a bit more work to do. And the final approach was definitely… engaging. There was a fair bit of tide coming out of the river, which dropped our boat speed down to around 4 knots. We also had the added obstacle of river traffic to contend with, and the channel margins were tight – about half a meter on either side. It was one of those situations where you're constantly running through scenarios in your head. I was thinking things ...

Off We Go

The dream of a seamless yacht delivery aboard the Fontaine Pajot 47 seemed like a solid plan. However, life, with its unpredictable currents, threw us a curveball. My trusted crewmate was struck by the ever-present Covid! Even though he's as tough as old sea boots, it definitely slowed him down. The pre-departure days were a delicate balancing act. While the initial concerns about a sick crewmate were undeniable, a strong sense of purpose took hold. Provisioning, finalizing paperwork, and familiarizing myself with Namarie became a mission with Craig putting in 110% effort despite his 20% health. Constant communication with my recuperating crewmate ensured a smooth handover of duties, keeping the team spirit alive despite maintaining physical separation and wearing masks. Stepping aboard Namarie, the initial awe at her sleek lines and luxurious interior was palpable. However, the euphoria was tempered by a healthy dose of respect for the vessel's complexity. The sophisticated na...

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